Dental Implants

Types of Dental Implants

Dr. Emma Wu offers traditional dental implants and All-on-4® implants to restore your teeth. An implant is an artificial tooth root inserted into the jawbone. Made of biocompatible titanium or ceramic, this post fuses to the bone over time, creating a stable base for attached restorations. Dr. Wu can place traditional dental implants to secure a dental crown, bridge, or denture. If you are missing most or all of your teeth in your upper or lower arch, Dr. Wu can use the innovative All-on-4® treatment concept to anchor dentures and restore your teeth in just one day.

Dental Implant Surgery

Dr. Wu places and restores dental implants, a process that requires two surgeries. During the first procedure, she will make an incision in your gums, create space in the jawbone, and insert the dental implant. As the implant integrates with the jawbone, which takes between three and six months, you will wear a temporary restoration and maintain a soft diet to protect your gums. Once the implant has fused to your jawbone, Dr. Wu will incise your gums to attach the abutment to the implant. The abutment connects the implant to the restoration. Once the gums have healed around the abutment, Dr. Wu She will attach your permanent restoration.

All-on-4®

Many patients prefer implant-supported dentures to traditional prostheses that rest atop the gums. Dr. Wu utilizes the advanced All-on-4® surgical technique to restore your teeth in just one day. During this procedure, she strategically inserts four implants at an angle to minimize the amount of bone required and maximize the stability of your restorations. She then immediately attaches a temporary denture, improving your dental function and appearance. Once the implants have fully fused to your jawbone, the permanent, custom denture is placed. This treatment concept reduces the expense and complexity of dental implant surgery while providing excellent results.

Candidates

Dental implant candidates should be missing one or more teeth. Patients should be at least 20 years old, to ensure that the jawbone has stopped growing. You must also be in good dental and oral health, ideally free from periodontal (gum) disease, as this could complicate your treatment. For traditional implants, you must have sufficient jawbone to hold the post. If you lack adequate bone density, a sinus lift or bone grafting procedure may be required.

Cost

Dr. Wu customizes dental implant treatment to each patient’s unique needs and desired results, so costs vary widely. Important cost factors include the number of implants required, the material the implant is made of, the type of anesthesia used, any pre-operative treatments such as bone grafting, and the diagnostic tests we run. The All-on-4® technique for implant-supported dentures typically results in a lower cost than conventional implant-supported dentures, since fewer implants are placed. To make implant treatments more affordable, we offer Citi® Health financing.

Benefits

Dental implants provide numerous medical and cosmetic benefits to patients. In terms of your oral health, they prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of place, and exercise and stimulate your jawbone as you chew, speak, and smile, minimizing bone deterioration. Dental implants typically hold restorations firmly in place, allowing you to go about your daily life without worrying that your prostheses will slip or loosen. You can eat the foods you enjoy, smile and speak with confidence, and enjoy the appearance of your beautifully restored smile.

Choosing an Implant Dentist

When placed properly, dental implants can give your smile back its form and function. When you are selecting an implant dentist for your surgery, there are a few things to keep in mind. You should feel comfortable with your dentist and ensure that they have a successful history of placing implants. There are several national organizations that can help you distinguish a skilled implant dentist. Dr. Wu is a diplomat of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and has been certified a Master of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. She has the experience and the technical precision you deserve from an oral surgeon.

Implant-Supported Bridges

If you have multiple missing or damaged teeth in a row, you may want to consider treatment with implant-supported bridges. These implant-supported restorations can restore form and function to your smile, and provide superior durability and security. Unlike treatment with traditional dental bridges, the surrounding teeth are completely preserved in the course of treatment, and the implants stimulate the jawbone, which prevents bone atrophy and recession.